Large Open Pit Project: Integration of high-resolution structural pit mapping, UAV photogrammetry surveys and geotechnical and exploration drillhole for a fully-constrained 3D structural, lithological and alteration model for Miduk Porphyry Copper Mine
In 2017, Tect, in collaboration with other 3rd party consultants Itasca, Snowden and KNMCE, conducted a site visit and technical Gap Analysis of NICICO’s Miduk Mine, with the purpose of aligning their mine planning and geological, hydrogeological and geotechnical modelling with international best-practice. The Miduk porphyry is located ca. 42km northeast of Shahr-e-Babak City in the Kerman Province and is hosted within the Urumeih Dokhtar Magmatic Arc (UDMA), which is also host to the world-class Sarcheshmeh Cu porphyry deposit, 85 km south-east of Miduk.
Following recommendations from the Gap Analysis, Tect was tasked with constructing fully-constrained and dynamic 3D structural, lithological and alteration models in Leapfrog, from first principles. The modelling process was underpinned by the initiation of advanced structural, geotechnical and lithological face mapping programs in 2017, in collaboration with KNMCE Geoscientists. To date, this has resulted in the collection of over 9000 readings. Data was continuously reviewed and interpreted, with high-resolution UAV drone photogrammetry surveys as a background, and in concert with downhole geotechnical, ATV and macrostructural logging.
The structural model depicts predominantly brittle deformation, characterized by major, steeply-dipping, N-S trending, strike-slip faults (D2) that cross-cut earlier conjugate NW-SE and NW-SW strike-slip faults (D1). Overall, D1-2 is consistent with regional, progressive right-lateral transpressional tectonics along the UDMA and the juxtaposed Sanandaj-Sirjan suture zone during the late Miocene (<12 Ma). Key faults were used to divide the mine volume into fault-bounded domains that distinguish dominant joint populations. A conspicuous radial fracture pattern broadly denotes the emplacement vector of the mineralized quartz-diorite body and its associated alteration and mineralization envelopes. By establishing a fully-constrained model, accurate numerical modeling of Cu grade shells and intersecting hypogene and supergene mineralization zones was possible. Miduk’s new dynamic 3D models will be used to inform ongoing geotechnical and geohydrological modelling, forward geotechnical design and in-pit grade control drilling.
(In preparation) The integration of high-resolution structural pit mapping, UAV surveys and geotechnical and exploration drill data towards a fully-constrained 3D Structural Model for Miduk Porphyry Copper Mine by Corné Koegelenberg, Ian Basson, Michael McCall, Payam Ekshlaspour, Alireza Siami, Ali Rahnama, Journal of Structural Geology, or similar.
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